e line, and Winston-Salem third baseman Gerson Montilla missed trying to backhand it and got a two-base error. The scorer changed the play to a double ho

NEW YORK -- Facing a tough trip and a fast turnaround, Seth Lugo and the New York Mets quickly packed their equipment bags. They took jerseys, gloves and something else, too -- the glow of a sweet win.Lugo kept pitching like a playoff-tested ace rather than a rookie, Curtis Granderson and Jay Bruce each hit a two-run homer and the Mets beat the Washington Nationals 5-1 Sunday night.The Mets won for the 11th time in 15 tries and stayed within one game of St. Louis for the second NL wild-card slot. They didnt have much time to savor the victory -- they hurried to Cincinnati for a 1:10 p.m. Monday holiday start.We cant worry about who were playing, where were playing, Bruce said. Were going to play tomorrow, and have the evening.The Mets had worried that storm system Hermine could severely delay them leaving New York, but the expected heavy rain and high winds held off.Are we going to get in at 3 in the morning or 4:30 in the morning? Mets manager Terry Collins wondered before the game.Lugo (3-2) limited the NL East leaders to one run and six hits in seven innings, walking none and striking out four. The 26-year-old righty has won three straight starts, permitting a total of three runs, to help rejuvenate an injury-plagued rotation.Lugo wobbled in the first inning, giving up two quick hits, plunking a batter, making multiple pickoff throws and drawing a visit from pitching coach Dan Warthen.After that, Lugo escaped a bases-loaded jam by retiring Wilson Ramos on a nubber. He later set down 10 hitters in a row, and left to a standing ovation.That was pretty awesome, he said. That was crazy.Granderson drove in three runs. New York set a team record with its 97th home run at home in a season, topping the 96 at Shea Stadium in 2006.Danny Espinosa matched a career high with his 21st homer for Washington.The Nationals still lead the Mets by 8 1/2 games with less than a month to go.Just win. Its as simple as that. Thats the biggest priority. You win as many ballgames as you can, manager Dusty Baker said.And I still believe that we havent hit our stride yet. I mean, every teams won seven, eight, nine, 10 in a row except us. So, I still believe our best time of the year is yet to come, he said.Reynaldo Lopez (2-3) gave up three runs on six hits, three wild pitches and a walk in four innings. Called up from Triple-A before the game, he did get his first major league hit.Daniel Murphy singled and has a hit in all 16 games this season against the Mets, the team he helped send to the World Series last year.Granderson hit his 23rd homer. Bruce connected for his 29th off Mat Latos, who made his Washington debut after being released by the White Sox in June.HATS OFFThe Mets and Nationals both wore hats honoring New Yorks police, fire, Port Authority and other first responders during batting practice. The Mets also will wear them next Sunday on Sept. 11. This was their last home game before the 9/11 anniversary and they received permission from Major League Baseball for the tribute. The Mets asked the Nationals if theyd want to join them, and they did.These guys need to be rewarded, Collins said, wearing an NYPD hat.TRAINERS ROOMNationals: RHP Stephen Strasburg (sore elbow) threw a bullpen before the game and Baker said the reports were good. There is a chance the ace could start Wednesday at home vs. Atlanta.Mets: RHP Jacob deGrom (forearm) is still resting and its very possible he could miss two starts, Collins said.UP NEXTNationals: RHP Max Scherzer (15-7, 2.89 ERA) was returning to Washington early to prepare for his start at 4:05 p.m. Monday against Atlanta. His start was pushed back a day to give him extra rest. Ryan Weber (1-0, 5.24) was to pitch for the Braves.Mets: RHP Bartolo Colon (12-7, 3.35) was ready to start at Cincinnati vs. RHP Robert Stephenson (2-0, 3.00). 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Mike Scott scored 15 of his 17 points in the second half. http://www.customcubsjersey.com/custom-carlos-zambrano-jersey-large-400n.html .C. -- Chris Thorburn thinks one of the reasons the Winnipeg Jets have been successful under new coach Paul Maurice is that theyre playing together as a team. Custom Kosuke Fukudome Jersey . In Europe, top teams seem to be largely happy with their squads after spending nearly $1 billion in the off-season. And although English league clubs are unlikely to splash cash in January, Arsenal and Chelsea could be tempted to strengthen their squads with new strikers. Custom Cubs Jerseys . PETERSBURG, Fla. LYNCHBURG, Va. -- Cleveland Indians minor leaguer Francisco Mejias hit streak reached 50 games -- more than an hour after the game ended.Mejias streak survived when the official scorer changed a ruling on an error from the third inning of Class A Lynchburgs 7-5 loss Saturday night in the Carolina League.Mejia chopped a grounder down the line, and Winston-Salem third baseman Gerson Montilla missed trying to backhand it and got a two-base error. The scorer changed the play to a double hours later, after reviewing video and conferring with the teams.After reviewing additional data and watching video of the play, the official scorer decided to rule Mejias batted ball in the third inning a double, the Hillcats said in a statement. The video review showed that the ball was struck far enough away from the backhand of the third baseman and hit with enough force and topspin to prevent Montilla from making the play with ordinary effort.dddddddddddd Based on this, the official scorer changed the error to a hit.The 20-year-old switch-hitting catcher was 0-for-4 when he drew a full-count walk with two outs in the ninth and the Hillcats trailing 5-4, which appeared to end his streak. Lynchburg lost in 10 innings without Mejia batting again.Mejias string is the longest by a catcher in pro ball, surpassing Harry Chozens 49-game streak in the Southern Association in 1954. The professional hit streak record is 69 games by Joe Wilhoit of the Western League in 1919. ' ' '